Irish Guineas Preferred For Belardo

Belardo is set to take part in the G1 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, Ireland, on Saturday, May 23.

The winner of last year's Dubai Dewhurst Stakes was also being considered for the French equivalent, but the decision was made to run the colt in the first Irish Classic of the season.

Trainer Roger Varian commented, "There are likely to be around 20 runners on the round course at Longchamp and that can be a bit of a scrum, so we opted for the Irish Guineas instead."

He added, "The horse is very well and in great form."

Belardo made his seasonal reappearance in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury last month but found the ground too quick.

John Ferguson, Bloodstock Advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, said: "We are really excited by this Group 1 winner, he showed his class in the Dewhurst and the Curragh's galloping track should suit him."